SICAMOUS, B.C. - Scammers are targeting a close-knit B.C. community grieving the deaths of two kids and their father in a New Year's Day mobile home fire, police say.

RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said fraudsters set up an automated phone line that asks people in Sicamous to record their credit card information to make a donation to the children's mother.

Kara Wagner's sons — three-year-old Lealen and four-year-old Devlin — and her 28-year-old fiance Daniel Vollans died in the blaze while she was out of the home.

Moskaluk said Thursday that whoever is involved in the scheme is victimizing people who are trying to support Wagner.

"It is truly a very dark side of human nature when we see an individual or group of individuals taking advantage of victims involved in such tragic incidents, in addition to stealing from the good heartedness of others," he said.